a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation:Thomas Jefferson was his ideal.
an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, esp. one of high or noble character:He refuses to compromise any of his ideals.
something that exists only in the imagination:To achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.
Mathematicsa subring of a ring, any element of which when multiplied by any element of the ring results in an element of the subring.
adj.
conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence:ideal beauty.
regarded as perfect of its kind:an ideal spot for a home.
existing only in the imagination; not real or actual:Nature is real; beauty is ideal.
advantageous; excellent; best:It would be ideal if she could accompany us as she knows the way.
based upon an ideal or ideals:the ideal theory of numbers.
Philosophy
pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.
pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.
Late Latin ideālis. See idea, -al1
1605–15
i•de′al•ness, n.
1.2. epitome. Ideal,example,model refer to something considered as a standard to strive toward or something considered worthy of imitation. An ideal is a concept or standard of perfection, existing merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct:We admire the high ideals of a religious person. Sir Philip Sidney was considered the ideal in gentlemanly conduct.An example is a person or the conduct or achievements of a person regarded as worthy of being followed or imitated in a general way; or sometimes, as properly to be avoided:an example of courage; a bad example to one's children.A model is primarily a physical shape to be closely copied, but is also a pattern for exact imitation in conduct or character:They took their leader as a model.4. intention, objective. 7. perfect, consummate, complete. 9. illusory, imaginary, fanciful, fantastic.